Former domers find following in Elephant
By CASSIE CARRIGAN
Scene Music Critic
There is something incredibly satisfying about discovering a band before the rest of the world discovers them. Here is your chance to do just that.
The band Elephant has recently released its first CD, Monday Morning, Start Again. They have a unique, colorful and energetic sound that resembles no other band currently out today.
Elephant is something of a home-grown phenomenon. Lead singer and guitarist Joe Bregande originally lived here in South Bend and was in a popular band called Sea of Words with Fletch, who is now the bassist for Elephant. Bregande's brother Dave, who also sings lead vocals and plays acoustic guitar and Fletch both graduated from Notre Dame in '95 and '92 respectively.
Elephant has since relocated to Atlanta where they've picked up quite a following on the local club circuit.
You can find out more information, and listen to samples of their songs at their web site: http:\\www.ele-phantrunk.com.
Elephant could be categorized as a pop/rock group but that category is really too narrow for their sound. Vocally, Elephant's sound is distinct. Joe and Dave's voices complement each other while Fletch's background vocals add color to each song. Their sound is both upbeat and has a soul.
Elephant's influences include the Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Who, U2, The Jam, The Kinks, Paul Simon, Crowded House and other musicians whose focus is primarily on songwriting. Much like these musical greats, Elephant's songs are more than just good music — they say something to the listener about how the songwriter views life, love and all that jazz. Elephant's songs look the darkness of life straight in the eye, while at the same time, refuse to give in to despair. The last line of "This is the Story" sums up this view when it says, "The loss is never stronger than what's gained."
Monday Morning, Start Again is pop music at its finest. The music is perfect for dancing and having a good time or just hanging out.
That's the beauty of it all — the music is fun and yet the lyrics provide more than just ear candy. The album opens with the energetic "No Slowing Down" and flows straight into "Evil," a song that perfectly describes the perils of the dating game that we all seem to end up playing. From there, the album only gets better. From the upbeat and hopeful "If I Wanted To" to the touching "Steeple Hill," each song makes you want more.
The song "Ani," while seeming to poke a little fun at folk artist Ani Difranco, sums up the idea behind every song on the album — "And I'm truly sorry/ That the world isn't all it could be/ I think I'd like to laugh a while/ and sing about the world that I see/ I'd love for you to hear a smile/ from me."
Those lines capture most of Joe and Dave Bregande's writing style, and offer a small glimpse into the spirit of the entire album.
All Scene Stories for Tuesday, April 4, 2000
